USAE
FEBRUARY 9, 2026
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N E W S Tropicana Atlantic City Reopens Hotel Tower
By Jordan Bradley The Tropicana Atlantic City is ready to welcome a wave of new guests with the grand opening of its new Solana Tower. Caesars Entertainment made the announcement on February 2. The Tropicana’s newly unveiled Solana Tower reintroduces 598 guest rooms and suites to Atlantic City travelers. The redesign and renovations updated the tower’s rooms in a “modern, coastal-inspired” design that draws inspiration from Tropicana’s “iconic Palm Walk” evoking “a sense of destination within the resort,” the announcement said. Guest rooms and suites will now “feature soft wood tones, tropical patterns and bold accents that set a light and inviting tone,” Caesars said. “Curated artwork and thoughtful details offer a fresh, stylish stay
By Jon Trager & Todd McElwee Dan Rowe, the former President & CEO of the Panama City Beach CVB (CVB) and Executive Director of the Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC), was officially relived of his duties on February 2. He’d submitted his three-month notice in a resignation letter on January 30, but TDC’s board decided to end his tenure immediately, WJHG reported. “The Bay County Tourist Development Council and the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Minneapolis continued from page 2
cotts of their properties. Meanwhile, individuals in support of ICE operations, as well as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have called for boycotts of hotels that refuse reservations for federal agents. However, Whitcomb points out that most hotels with name brands like Hilton and Marriott, in fact, are small businesses whose operating procedures and ownership are only loosely tied to brand names under franchise agreements. “When people target a hotel to protest,” Whitcomb said, “they’re forgetting about the hundreds of employees that work at that hotel who need their jobs, who need their paycheck to pay their mortgage, feed their kids, pay their bills. It’s not the owner alone; it’s all the people that rely on that
that feels both relaxed and refined.” According to the casino and hospitality company, “the opening marks a significant milestone in the resort’s ongoing evolution and commitment to providing elevated accommodations in the heart of Atlantic City.” The renovations to the Solana Tower were announced in May last year, and renovations began just after Labor Day. The renovation project transformed the property’s existing west wing, according to Caesars. “It’s incredibly rewarding to finally welcome guests to the new Solana Tower,” said Gregg Klein, senior vice president and general manager at Tropicana Atlantic City. “After reimagining every detail, we’re thrilled to share a space where guests can relax, explore and enjoy a fresh, modern Atlantic City experience.”
A guest room in the newly renovated Tropicana Atlantic City.
Dan Rowe Resigns in Panama City
are currently reviewing the scope of the CEO role to guide an intentional and strategic hiring process,” the Panama City Beach CVB told USAE. “Additional details regarding timing and the search process will be shared as they become available.” The bureau has been rocked by scandal involving a pair of executives arrested for alleged theft totaling roughly $1 million. Rowe has not been accused of a crime. The TDC’s lawyer told WJHG that, per his employment contract, Rowe will still receive three months’ salary,
three months of his $500 car allowance, and more than 700 hours of paid vacation time. On January 30, WMBB, which acquired a copy of Rowe’s contract, reported he would be paid about $85,000 of his roughly $340,000 contract. Questions about his 700 hours of vacation were raised by a board member, but CVB officials said they were accrued during his 18-plus year tenure. Stephen Bailey, 53, who served as vice president of sales and marketing was charged with grand theft and 22
counts of illegal use of a credit card, an American Express card issued by the Bay County Tourist Development Council. Investigators say Bailey used his company credit card to pay for meals and drinks for himself and his wife during out-of-state work trips. Former Vice President of Administration Aaron Lee was arrested on similar charges in early January. He stands accused of making unauthorized purchases of luxury items and experiences totaling nearly $1 million. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has been investigating the matter.
property for a living. The economic impacts of what is happening in our state is not just about the business or the business owner… These are real people and real needs that are being sacrificed for protests.” Whitcomb said that the association is doing its best to educate people about the separation between individual hotels and big hotel brands. “We are sharing that message, and, unfortunately, more often than not, it’s met with the argument: ‘Oh, so you’re putting profits over people.’ It’s not what this is. It’s not that simple,” Whitcomb explained. “The people that are hearing this message already know the message.” Whitcomb said she believes that federal activity currently seen in the Twin Cities region will continue throughout the country. “The scary thing is, I think we will see this in other states,” she said. “We’ve already seen it. We’re not the first. I think we’re the most intense.”
The association is also holding regular calls to inform members of their rights and obligations. “When this first happened and the protests got disruptive and violent, we immediately convened a call with the Department of Public Safety, and within two hours of announcing the call we had 200 attendees,” Whitcomb said. “We’re coordinating resources, convening resources, bringing the right professionals to our members at the right moment to offer them guidance, whether that’s legal guidance, I9 requirements, just helping them understand in the midst of fear and panic: what are your rights? What are your obligations? How do you tell the difference between a judicial and an administrative warrant? Because in the moment, when confronted with immigration activity, it’s scary. So, we’re trying to provide them with as much fact and detail, and try to cut through all of the fear-mongering
and rumor mill so they’re prepared.” The hospitality industry is heavily populated by legal immigrants who support hotel operations – something not lost on the community within the Twin Cities, Whitcomb said. With reports of ICE agents detaining U.S. citizens and legal immigrants, fear is ever-present in the region. “Our members have been amazing in meeting this moment,” she said. “One thing that has been so overwhelming is the way this industry cares for one another and is coming together to make sure those employees who are too afraid to come to work have food getting to their house, have their medications, have safe rides – and these are people who are legal to be here. They’re immigrants and their scared to leave their homes. This industry – here in Minneapolis and Minnesota statewide – really has just shown incredible resilience and love for one another, and I think that’s what gets us through most days.”